Nikola Jokic is considered by many to be the best player in the NBA today. He’s even earned some top-ten all-time chatter in recent years. So, when Jokic’s Denver Nuggets face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, defensive specialist Lu Dort’s job is simple: make Jokic’s life a living hell for 48 minutes.
On Friday, Feb. 27, Dort tried to do just that, but went overboard, hip-checking Jokic as he was coming up the court.
Tempers flared. A fight broke out. And Dort was ejected.
Following Tuesday’s win over the Chicago Bulls though, Dort was asked about the scuffle, to which he is now saying he crossed a line.
Dort said, ‘That’s a physical game and there’s limits to it. And I went over the limit.’ He continued, ‘That was an unnecessary move by me, something I shouldn’t have done.’
What else did Dort say?
While Dort did admit he went too far, he also noted that any game between the Thunder and Nuggets turns into a physical affair.
‘Every time we play against each other, it’s always a battle,’ he said. ‘It was a physical game throughout the whole game.’
Dort continued, noting that his job of guarding the opposing team’s best player every night can be taxing. ‘It’s not easy. Obviously, I play hard. I’m a physical player. It’s what I do for my team, and sometimes people think it’s too much, but it’s always [within] the rules of the game.’
When asked if Dort considered himself a dirty player, Dort said no.
‘I don’t think I’m dirty,’ he said. ‘I can’t control media. Media always wants to have some type of attention or anything. They want that buzz. I can’t control that. I’ve been doing well with this organization for years now. I’m happy with how I play and what I do with my teammates. I go out there, compete every night. So I’m gonna keep doing what I do on the court.’
Is Dort considered a dirty player?
Throughout his seven years in the NBA, Dort’s ejection on Friday was just the fourth of his career. He has nine technical fouls and six flagrant fouls to his name as well.
Those are actually small figures compared to some of the more notable enforcers around the league, like Draymond Green. However, Dort’s reputation is that of someone willing to get physical, and although many of his tactics have not resulted in ejections, many players around the league believe he has earned the ‘dirty’ moniker.
